SPELL CHECKING IN WORD

Today's technology tips is just a quick reminder about how to spell check your documents in Microsoft Word.  In this example we'll be using the XP version of Word but it works similarly in other versions and in other word processing programs.

First, make sure the spell checking options are turned on in Word.  Go to "Tools" and select "Options"

On the menu that appears you can select the features you would like.  For example, Word can check your spelling and grammar as you type and underline errors with a red line.  Word can also suggest corrections to your spelling.  In the example below you can see corrected spellings by right clicking on the word with the red underline:

You can also spellcheck an entire document by either pressing F7 on the keyboard of by going to the "Tools" menu and selecting "Spelling and Grammar."

Or you could press this button on the toolbar: 

This features may operate differently in different versions of Word and different word processing programs.  You will also find these features in most Microsoft Word programs.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Try setting the spelling and grammar options in Word sometime today.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  To learn more about the spelling settings available in word processors try searching the internet for:

Spell Checkers
Word Grammar check

MS-WORD SYMBOL INSERTION

You'll never find these symbols on your keyboard.  So how do you get them into your next Microsoft Word document?

1)  Go to the spot on your page where you want the symbol to appear

2)      Go to “Insert” on the menu bar and select “Symbol” from the menu

3)      Select the symbol you want from the list and click on it and then click “Insert”

 

You can insert symbols into Outlook emails, Power Points and Publisher files the same way.

One more bonus technology tip for you: 
Here’s the quick way to make a © symbol: 

just type (c) and it will appear.  Try it!

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Try inserting a symbol into your next word document or email.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  To find out more about inserting symbols try searching the internet for:

Inserting symbols
Word symbols
Microsoft symbols

LOCK YOUR COMMPUTER BEFORE YOU GO

If you work in a network environment you probably have to log onto your computer each morning using a password and remember to log off each evening before you go.  And for network security reasons you're probably reminded to never leave your computer while it's logged on.  This is especially important in a school setting where a malevolent student could potentially make a real mess of the school network if they had access to a teacher computer.

Today's tip will help you with a quick way to log on and off your computer when you have to step away from it for a few minutes.  It will save you time as you won't have to log off and then back on again.  Instead you can just "Lock" your computer while you're away from it temporarily.  Please note that this will not work in all network environments or all operating systems.  But you can still give it a try:

To lock your computer press the Windows button (bottom left of your keyboard) and the letter "L" at the same time. 

If it works your screen will go blank except for a message that says:

"This computer is in use and has been locked by (Your Username).  To unlock this computer press CTRL+ALT+DEL and type in your password"

This can be a great, easy to use way to lock your computer.  It doesn't work on all computers though.  If it doesn't work on your computer you'd have to contact your network administrator to ask them about it.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Try locking and unlocking your computer right now to see if it works.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  To learn more about locking your computer try searching the internet for:

Windows key and L
Lock your computer
Windows shortcut keys

Have a nice day!

HOW TO TAKE A SCREEN SHOT ON YOUR SYSTEM

Everyone has had their computer go a little crazy on them.  You know those boxes that pop up with messages like “imminent failure” and “contact your network administrator.”  Today's tip is about the quickest way to communicate those error messages to others who might not believe what you’re saying.  Just take a "screen shot" and email it to them.  Here’s how it’s done: 

Simply press CTRL and Print Scrn/SysRq
in the upper right hand corner of your keyboard:

You have now taken a picture of your screen.  Now you could open a blank email and paste it in by pressing CTRL and the letter V at the same time.   

(hint taking screen shots like this and then editing them in a simple program like Paint is how we make the directions in many of these Technology Tips)

 

 
Click here to Read More..

HOW TO FLIP YOUR SCREEN

Here’s something I learned from a 7^th grader:

Directions:  Read everything before you do anything

1. Press CTRL + ALT + the up arrow key (see below)
2. Next press CTRL + ALT + the right arrow key
3. Then press CTRL + ALT + the left arrow key
4. Then, before you get too dizzy press CTRL + ALT + the down arrow key

 

Pretty neat???

Now remember that a 7^th grader showed me that after I had spent 5 minutes trying to fix a monitor that was set upside down by another student.  You will inevitably find that often the kids are ahead of the adults when it comes to computers.  It’s OK, that’s just the way it is. 

At least you know how to flip your screen back if anyone messes with it.

And if this activity didn't work on your computer it just means you might have a different version of Windows (other than XP) or this particular feature may have been disabled.  But if you ever see an upside down screen you'll know what to do.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Try flipping your screen a couple of times.  If it works try sharing this little trick with someone else today.  Don't forget to show them how to flip it back.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  If you'd like to learn more about working in the Microsoft Windows Operating System try searching the internet for:

Microsoft Windows Tutorial
Windows XP tricks and tips

UPGRADING (FLASHING) YOUR BIOS

Today, we have three major companies who build BIOS chips and program them: AWARD, AMI and PHOENIX.
The fastest way to find the upgrade is to paste your BIOS ID String (example shown in Figure 1) into something like google to find an upgrade. If that dosen’t work…
The first thing you need before you begin is the FLASH upgrade software for your motherboard. An upgrade is not found at AWARD Bios, AMI Bios or Phoenix Bios’ web site. They are in the business of selling to motherboard manufacturer’s and not the general public. The Flash Upgrade for your motherboard is always supplied by the motherboard manufacturer. You can nearly always download these upgrades from their web or FTP site. If you computer was built by a company such as Micron, Gateway, IBM, Packard Bell ect. go to their site for the utility.
Simply write down the version number of your Bios, this can be read above the memory test during the beginning of the POST process when you start your computer.
As shown here in this example. Press the PAUSE button on your keyboard (pause button is above the Home,page,down, page up ect section of keys beside print screen and scroll lock) to freeze the screen so you can write it down.

Figure 1
Also, determine the model of the motherboard you are using.

Figure 2
In the case of this picture the mother board is an IRM-P6L40A4 Version 1.02 you can just google that and it should point you to the manufacturer.
These two items are all you will need to find the upgrade for your motherboard on the manufacturer’s web site. On the site you should typically be looking for Drivers & downloads section if you can’t find it use google by typing the motherboard’s name (eg in this case IRM-P6L40A4 Version 1.02).
The FLASH UTILITY is nearly always included in the Flash upgrade file you will download. So, download it first and examine the contents of this file before you begin searching for a Flash Utility file.
Once you have found and downloaded the update:
READ the instructions file and follow it in detail. I have seen a couple of people take for granted they know how to flash a BIOS only to find a new requirement and they are stuck with a mess. READ the INSTRUCTIONS.
Typically, you will need two floppy disks. One disk is your Boot disk with an operating system and the other contains your Flash Utility and the Upgrade file. You might be able to put all this on one floppy, but I recommend against it. When you Flash upgrade your BIOS, one option is to make a backup copy of your existing BIOS code. You will want to do this and need room for the Flash Utility file to store your old Bios code.
To make the MS-DOS boot disk:
Go to My Computer and right-click on the Floppy Drive and select “format” check off “Create MS-DOS startup Disk” and click start.
When the format is complete unzip the BIOS updating files into the disk.
Reset your computer with the floppy disk inside the drive and wait for MS-DOS to load up. If it dosen’t you must reset your computer and press DEL(F2, F8 ect depending on what model of BIOS you have) to enter the setup, there you must go through the options to find “boot seqence” make sure you have A listed before C, for example my computer is set “A, C, SCSI” as you can see in the image below.

Figure 3
After you see the DOS prompt (the famous A:\>), enter the BIOS programmer name followed by the BIOS file name. In our case the command was:
Awdflash 485_v10c.bin
REPLACE 485_v10c.bin with your bin file’s name. if you do not know the name type “dir” you will get a list of what is on your floppy and write down the name of the bin file (Or if the instructions from the manufacturer differ from what is in this guide use this only as a guideline).
Then you will be in the utility asking you to specify the bios upgrade file (the .bin file) in my case it was already Identified with the second part in the Awdflash command “Awdflash 485_v10c.bin”

Figure 4
In my case following the instructions I press Y to save the BIOS afterwards you will be asked to create a backup name the backup something like “bios_backup” and keep following the instructions until you are finished upgrading.

BASIC MAINTENANCE

If you do a lot of downloading, uploading, play online games or basically do anything that involves updating, removing or moving files constantly. Chances are that your computer is going to become sluggish or crash at some point. You probably won’t even notice the change until it takes an instant nose dive. There are a number of things you can do to help keep your PC working right. You basically need to keep it clean.
1) Make sure your computer is spyware / adware / virus free – A lot of this junk can cause severe slowdown and if the problem ends up being related to one of these things then everything you do in this guide from here on out will be pretty much a waste of time.
2) Erase Unused Files and Programs – Get rid of files you do not use anymore it is a waste of space and it can slow you down when you defragment or clean your registry (more on that later).
3) Defraging your computer – Basically defraging organizes the information on your hard drive. Even though files are organized in folders, defraging organizes the files on the drive physically (where it is written or stored on the physical hard disk). The reason you need to defrag is because your computer just crams information in the first empty spaces it can find which means that different parts of a file can be spread all over the place. The more spread out they are the longer it will take to gather up the pieces it needs to run a program. In some cases defraging doesn’t have much of an effect, in others it can speed your computer up drastically especially if your drive is nearly full.
To Defragment Your Drive – you simply go to My Computer and right click on a drive, select properties, and then the tools tab. Select the defragment option, then select the drive you wish to defrag from the list (which may already be selected for you) and you hit defragment. Then you just wait….and this can take a very long or very short time depending on a number of factors so I suggest leaving your computer on overnight.
4) Windows Registry – This is something most people don’t even know exists…the windows registry . It is basically a place where your computer stores certain settings and information. Fixing your registry can fix a variety of problems on your computer.
This time you need to download some software to do this. The software itself is almost as simple as defragmenting. Download a Free Registry Cleaner HERE. If you wish to use a commercial cleaner then I suggest Registry Mechanic. Using one is pretty straight forward and there are guides on the Application’s Home page anyway so I won’t waste my time writing a walkthrough of procedures.
After you have done the basic maintenance above, it’s time to boost the performance of Windows XP. Take a look at this guide for tips and tricks.